If you're getting married in Missouri, you must first apply for a marriage license.
It'll cost you $46.00 to $60.00, and you'll have to use it within 30 days.
You can apply for a Missouri marriage license at any county's recorder of deeds office. You'll be assisted by the recorder of deeds, or "recorder" for short.
A Missouri marriage license costs between $46 and $60, depending on the county. The vast majority of counties charge $51.
Note: The license fee may or may not include a complementary certified copy of your marriage certificate.
There are no residency-related preconditions to get a marriage license. Missourians and nonresidents are welcome to apply.
Your marriage license is good for use anywhere in Missouri, but can't be used in another state.
The marriage license application requires your name, birth surname, date and place of birth, residence, total prior marriages, how and when your last marriage ended, race, highest education level completed, and social security number.
If you don't have a social security number, the recorder will have you sign a statement attesting to that fact.
Submitting a notarized absentee affidavit application is reserved for adults aged 18 and over who are active duty military, incarcerated, or disabled. Only one party to a marriage can apply absentee. Whoever applies in person must submit the other's application.
Your commanding officer must confirm your active duty status on the affidavit verification form.
The warden, sheriff, or proper prison official must confirm your incarceration on the affidavit verification form.
A qualified medical official must confirm you're disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act on the affidavit verification form.
If you're an adult aged 18 and over, you don't need parental consent to marry.
If you're 16 or 17 years old, you can marry anyone below the age of 21 with the written consent of your custodial parent or legal guardian.
Minors under the age of 16 can no longer marry, effective July 13, 2018.
Parents or guardians can grant consent in person or by completing a notarized parental consent form provided by the recorder's office. You may be charged $1 per consent form signature.
Your marriage license will be issued immediately. Afterward, you can marry at any time.
Your marriage license will remain valid for 30 days after issuance. Return any unused license to the recorder's office. Report a lost or destroyed license.
Bring valid unexpired government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, passport, state-issued ID card, or military ID card.
In addition to regular photo ID, minors should bring a certified copy of their birth certificate.
Consenting parents, bring photo ID and proof of custody if divorced. Consenting guardians, bring photo ID and guardianship papers.
You do not have to get a premarital blood test.
Just know the date your divorce was finalized. You don't need to bring your divorce decree.
Just know the date your spouse died. Their death certificate isn't required.
At least two witnesses must attend your marriage ceremony and sign your marriage license afterward.
Changing your name because of marriage can be done using your marriage certificate, but it isn't automatic. You must mail the proper forms to the proper institutions. You can use of an online name change service to assist. Start with your social security card before other institutions.
Your marriage license must be returned to the original recorder of deeds for recording within 15 days after your marriage ceremony. Failure to return is a misdemeanor offense.
You can purchase a certified copy of your marriage certificate for roughly $9–12 from the recorder of deeds office where you applied for your marriage license.
Missouri does not recognize common-law marriage established in this state or another.
Missouri law prohibits marriage between first cousins.
You can't marry an ascendant, descendant, sibling (half or whole blood), aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or first cousin.
You can't get married by proxy in Missouri. You must attend your own ceremony. No surrogates.
Employees at the recorder of deeds don't perform civil ceremonies. However, they can direct you to a judge who may solemnize your civil marriage by appointment. The fee varies per county. Some judges offer the service for free.
Where will you apply?
Share your questions or comments
Hi Lori. Both must apply in person, unless one of you is active duty military, disabled, or incarcerated. If any of the latter is true, whoever's present can apply absentee on behalf of the missing.
Justin says: Can the court provide witnesses? Editor says: Hi Justin. You'll have to ask the judge to arrange that when your appointment is scheduled. Emily says: Can I get marriage license and married all in one day at the courthouse? Editor says:Hi Emily. That's up to the judge. You'll have to schedule an appointment anyway, so inquire when you do so.
Ann says: Can a minor getting married be from out of state as well as long as a guardian is present with them? Editor says: Hi Ann. Yes, out-of-state minors can marry if granted proper permission from their guardian. Kristina says:My car was broken into and birth certificate and SS card were stolen, and I'm getting married this week! Every Social Security Administration office says they are remote only right now, no walk-in option. Will the recorder allow me to prove my SS# another way? I have my current license and passport. Freaking out! 😭
Editor says:birth certificate and SS card were stolen
A stolen social security card or number is serious business. Consider visiting the FTC's Identity Theft website to report what occurred.
Every Social Security Administration office says they are remote only right nowTrue. All 1600+ field offices are closed due to COVID-19 precautions.
Will the recorder allow me to prove my SS# another way?
You needn't show your social security card. Just document the number on the application. Even if you had to show it, you could arrange for another document, such as a pay stub or tax return. It's not required anyway.
Nick says: Can the officiant of our ceremony also serve as a witness? Editor says:Hi Nick. Your officiant can't serve as a witness. You'll need two additional people. They can even be strangers.
Jacob says:I live in Indiana but my fiance is in prison in Missouri. Do I have to get the marriage license in Indiana?
Editor says:Hi Jacob. You must get your marriage license from the state the marriage will take place in. Residency is irrelevant. If the marriage will take place in Missouri, get it there. Otherwise, get it from Indiana.
Kendra Ramsey says: Do I need my ssc or can I just use my birth certificate and driver's license. Editor says:So do I mail the absentee application to my bf that is incarcerated to have him fill it out and get it notarized? Or do I have to have someone take the application up to the facility?
Editor says:Hi Bria. You or your boyfriend can contact the warden to make arrangements. They may already have the paperwork on hand.
Kelli McCracken says:My bf is incarcerated and we want to get married tho he doesn't have a ss card, id or bc because was lost. Does the affidavit act as id for absentee? Could I make an appointment for judge to come to the jail for marriage? Where do i get the applications?
Kelli McCracken says: And can i bring witnesses to jail? Editor says: Hi Kelli. That too is up to the warden. Editor says:he doesn't have a ss card
He doesn't need the card, just the social security number. If he doesn't have one, then mark that on the application.
id or bc because was lost
If the warden can't provide photo ID, then mark on the application that identification isn't available. The birth certificate is only required for minors.
Could I make an appointment for judge to come to the jail for marriage?Work that out with the warden.
Where do i get the applications?The county recorder of deeds office. Michelle says: If we don't have two witnesses can the judge or "court" produce them for us? Michelle says: Provide them rather. Editor says:
Hi Michelle. Although the judge can produce witnesses, it doesn't mean that they will. You'll have to arrange that with the judge.
Freeman says: Do they check to see if you're married or not when getting marriage license.? Editor says:Hi Freeman. No, there's no marriage ceremony monitoring. They'll only record your marriage once when your marriage license is returned for recording. Of course, they can collect stats on how many non-used marriage licenses expire, but that's simple math that any licensing office in the world could maintain.
Angela White says:I have been ordained to perform marriages and I have marriage licenses. Can those marriage licenses be used and be legal? Also, would I have to provide anything to show that I am ordained to provide this service?
Editor says:and I have marriage licenses. Can those marriage licenses be used and be legal?I'm not sure what you mean here. Are you referring to blank copies?
would I have to provide anything to show that I am ordained to provide this service?No, verification isn't necessary. Drayden says:
Is there any way to change the witnesses on my marriage certificate and/or license? As in can I have two different people sign them instead?
Editor says:Hi Drayden. Your marriage license may only be modified to correct errors after it's returned for recording.
Eric says:I'm looking to marry the girlfriend. Been a thing for 10 years. We don't want to do the wedding and all that. Just the marriage certificate and be married. How do we go about that
Editor says:Hi Eric. You can ask the county recorder (or their staff) for a referral to a local judge who performs marriages.
Annabel Williams says:I have been ordained and will be officiating my friends wedding. I know I will have to return the marriage license. Does that have to be in person or can I mail it in? I live in another state
Editor says: Hi Annabel. You can mail the marriage license back. That is standard. Tabitha says:Can someone give me any information in regards to marrying someone who is currently in jail? How do I apply for the license, how much does it cost, and how will the ceremony be performed with the current restrictions due to COVID? I would like to be able to kiss my husband after we are officially wed, but since they don't do in person visitation, will I even be able to marry him in person?
Editor says: Hi Tabitha. Your partner must contact the jail administrator to make arrangements. AU says:My son wants to marry his fiancé. They are both residents of AZ but he is currently in military training based in MO. He will have a family day coming where we will be flying out to see him. This is when they are hoping to get married. Will they need to apply for a marriage license in MO since that is where the marriage will take place? And if so, are they able get the license online prior to the actual marriage day. He only has one day of release from his base so they are hoping to do everything at once.
Editor says:Will they need to apply for a marriage license in MO since that is where the marriage will take place?Yes, they must apply in Missouri.
are they able get the license online prior to the actual marriage day.Could you specify the county in Missouri where they plan to apply. Dean says:
I plan on getting married to the love of my life on the 14th of next month. But there's only one witness. Will that be okay or will the judge help get one more witness. And also are offices currently open for walk-ins. Thanks.
Editor says:But there's only one witness. Will that be okayNo, you'll need two witnesses.
or will the judge help get one more witness
Maybe. It depends on the judge. And you'll want to lock down your judge well in advance. If you don't have one, you can contact the recorder of deeds for a referral.
And also are offices currently open for walk-ins.That depends on the office. Which county do you plan to apply in? Dean says:
I plan to apply in the Cape Giradeau County. I have been trying to get in with the office but no one is picking up the calls.
Editor says:The Cape Giradeau County Recorder of Deeds website doesn't reference an appointment requirement, so walk-ins are presumably accepted. Try calling them upon opening, which is 8am Central Time.
Paul says: Can I file for a absentee application for my incarcerated fiance? Editor says:Hi Paul. The absentee affidavit verification form should be completed by your fiancé in concert with the warden, sheriff, or prison administrator.
Katelynn says:Me and my boyfriend want to get married when I turn 16. But the problem is my mother says she would have to go to court and prove herself as an unfit parent for me to get married and move out. Is that true?
Editor says:Hi Katelynn. All your mother must do is fill out a parental consent form. She doesn't even need to go to the courtroom. She could have it notarized instead.
Patrick Crowley II says:I am getting married in July and I will be applying in Wayne County. Will I need to schedule an appointment or can me and my fiancée do a walk in?